Textile Designer

Textile designers can create designs for knitted, printed and woven textiles used to make clothing, interior furnishings, paper-based items or other textile products.

Textile designers need a good understanding of textile properties as well as their target market. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and suppliers in order to share design ideas and purchase supplies.

They research suitable processes and designs before producing design ideas and samples for presentation to customers.

Textile designers usually work 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday but additional hours are often required to meet deadlines. Part-time or freelance work may be available.

Designers are usually based in an office or studio and may spend a large part of their working day sitting in front of a computer screen.

Salaries may range from around £18,000 to around £45,000 a year.

A textile designer should:

• be creative and have the ability to draw
• have an eye for colour and an understanding of texture and pattern
• have an excellent understanding of textile products and manufacturing processes
• have knowledge of the market and a sensitivity to customer needs.

Textile designers are usually employed by companies that produce clothing, soft furnishings, interior textile items and other, specialist textile products. There is intense competition for vacancies. People looking for work usually need to undertake relevant paid or unpaid work experience and build up a list of contacts in the industry. Many textile designers work on a freelance basis.

There are no formal entry requirements to become a textile designer. However, most people enter through one of two main routes. Some begin as a machinist or cutter and progress to textile designer. More often, entry is after completing a relevant degree or foundation degree in design. Course admissions tutors and employers expect to see a portfolio of design work.

On-the-job training is common, although employers expect workers to have developed basic practical skills and computer-aided design (CAD) knowledge at college or university. Non-graduates can also work towards various vocational qualifications such as those offered by City & Guilds. Many courses are available, such as the Level 2 or 3 Certificate in creative techniques in textiles.

With experience, junior textile designers may be promoted to designer and then to senior designer. Designers working in smaller companies may need to change employer to gain promotion.

There may be opportunities to work overseas or move into a related career in textile manufacturing or buying.

Further details